UPDATE: More than 60 migrants have tragically died after their overloaded boat capsized while attempting to cross the sea between the Horn of Africa and Yemen. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed this devastating news earlier today, highlighting the perilous conditions migrants face in this dangerous journey.
The incident occurred on July 15, 2023, near the southern Yemeni province of Abyan. Authorities report that the vessel, believed to have been carrying approximately 150 individuals, capsized late Saturday night. The IOM has stated that 68 Ethiopian migrants lost their lives, with at least 12 survivors rescued from the wreckage. However, an unknown number of passengers are still missing, and the death toll is expected to rise as more bodies are expected to wash ashore.
“This heartbreaking incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced protection mechanisms for migrants undertaking perilous journeys,” the IOM emphasized in a statement. The organization noted that many migrants are victims of unscrupulous smugglers who exploit their desperation and vulnerability.
Local health official Abdul Kader Bajamel reported that the bodies of the deceased and the survivors, including two Yemeni smugglers, were transported to hospitals across Abyan. Due to the overwhelming number of casualties, the local governor has ordered the immediate burial of the deceased to prevent an environmental crisis, forming an emergency committee to locate the missing.
In Khanfar district, another health official, Salah Balleel, confirmed that a local hospital treated 11 survivors and received one deceased migrant. “The small boat was carrying far too many people,” Balleel stated, emphasizing the urgent need for better safety regulations.
The migrants’ journey across the Gulf of Aden is known as one of the busiest and most hazardous migration routes globally. Tens of thousands attempted this treacherous trip last year, fleeing dire conditions such as conflict, poverty, and political repression in countries like Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia.
Many of these individuals aim to reach Saudi Arabia in search of work and a chance at a better life, often disappearing into a vast informal economy. However, they must first navigate through Yemen, a country ravaged by civil war since 2014. The ongoing conflict has created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, leading to countless deaths from violence, disease, and starvation.
This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for international attention on the safety and rights of migrants. As rescue operations and search efforts continue, the global community must act to protect those who risk everything for a chance at survival.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as authorities continue to uncover more details.